I have been so intimidated by creating enrichment activities for my dogs. However, I am happy to report that creating Easy Toppl Recipes isn’t difficult at all.
Between understanding nutrition, the cost, and my French Bulldogs’ food sensitivities, I felt I couldn’t make a worthy Toppl enrichment activity. Creating easy Toppl recipes seemed difficult! You will find photos of absolutely gorgeous Toppls that dog moms fill with goodies for their dogs if you look through Instagram.
Everything from yogurt, Keifer, various supplements, mussels, and even shark collagen! These Toppl’s are so beautiful, and I aspire to be like some of these dog-moms that are so knowledgeable about dog nutrition.
I finally started creating nutritious Toppls that provided healthy enrichment, accommodated my dog’s food allergies, and didn’t break the bank. It was so much easier than I expected!
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Why is enrichment for dogs important?
I started learning about Toppls and other enrichment activities from @bindisbucketlist. She has inspired so much of the knowledge I’ve gained. I highly recommend you check out her Instagram and blog if you’re getting started in dog enrichment.
Enrichment is significant because it keeps your dog stimulated mentally. If you had to work from home at all this past year, then I am sure you’ve noticed that adding enrichment activities to your dog’s daily routine can be helpful to both your dog and you.
In this blog, we’re talking about nutritional enrichment, which encourages dogs’ natural foraging skills. In addition, increasing enrichment activities can help to decrease unwanted behaviors like chewing, nervous licking, and unnecessary barking.
*Always constult with your vet before introducing new foods to your dog. Be mindful of food sensitivities and introduce new foods slowly. This recipe is simply just a treat for your dog and not meant to replace a full balanced meal or diet.
First of all – What is a Toppl, and why do I love it for my French Bulldogs?
Toppls are great for all dog breeds, but I especially love them for my French Bulldogs. It has a much wider opening than a traditional Kong, making it easier for my squishy-faced (brachycephalic breed) to access all of the food in the Toppl. It also comes in two sizes. I use the smaller size for mid-day enrichment activities, but the larger size can make their full meal an enrichment activity.
Keep in mind you will always want to monitor your dog during any enrichment activity. My Toppls last forever because I remove them as soon as my dogs are done with their activity. So only allowing your dog to use Toppls during their enrichment activity improves their longevity as a toy, and they are worth every penny.
How to create easy Toppl recipes for dogs with food sensitivities
Looking back now, I can’t believe I let the food allergies that my French Bulldogs have ever hold me back from creating Toppls! The truth is you can keep it simple. You can make a Toppl from any combination of dog food you already feed your dog, fruits or veggies that are safe for dogs, dog treats you have on hand, etc.
Chances are, you can make an enrichment toy out of foods currently in your cabinet or fridge! A suggestion from @bindisbucketlist is to introduce your dog to a small amount of new foods that you plan you use in your Toppl 24-48 hours before you give them the filled Toppl.
Also, be mindful of serving sizes. Too many fruits and veggies can give your dog an upset tummy. For example, I used 1/8th cup of mashed sweet potato in each of my Toppls for the recipe below. The AAPC has a great list of fruits and veggies that are safe to share with your dog.
Fresh Fruits and Veggies you can add to your Toppl
- Pure steamed and mashed Pumpkin (You can use canned but make sure it’s pure pumpkin and NOT pumpkin pie filling.)
- Steamed and Mashed Sweet Potato (I used purple sweet potato in my Toppl recipe below)
- Green Beans
- Cucumber (I also incorporate cucumber sticks in my recipe below.)
- Broccoli
- Banana
- Strawberries
- Cantaloupe
- There are so many more options! Make sure to do your research and experiment to find your dog’s favorite fruits and veggies.
Easy Protein items to add to your Toppl
- Soak your dog’s kibble in water or dog-safe broth.
- Boiled and shredded chicken, duck, turkey.
- Fully cooked and unseasoned ground beef, chicken, or turkey.
- I like to keep things simple and use Meal Boosters from Honest Kitchen. These are 99% protein, and they have beef, chicken, turkey/duck, and salmon/pollock.
Tips for building your Easy Toppl Recipes
- Place your high-value food item in the bottom of your Toppl to encourage your dog to work its way through the entire Toppl. I always put the Honest Kitchen Salmon/Pollock Meal Booster because my dogs are obsessed with it.
- Put something enticing in the middle like a few pieces of kibble, crumbled treats, green beans, etc. Something that adds a little texture is fun for your dog!
- Seal the top of your Toppl and the Toppl hole on the side with a portion of wet food. I used the plain mashed sweet potato for this part of my Toppl.
- Top it off with a few slices of strawberries and cucumber sticks! I had some extra Frozen Papaya Dog Treats from my last blog that I added as well.
*Always constult with your vet before introducing new foods to your dog. Be mindful of food sensitivities and introduce new foods slowly. This recipe is simply just a treat for your dog and not meant to replace a full balanced meal or diet.
How I built this Easy Toppl Recipe to accommodate my dog’s food sensitivities
- Step One: I started by filling the Toppl halfway with my dog’s favorite Honest Kitchen Pollock & Salmon Meal Booster.
- Step Two: I previously boiled a peeled purple sweet potato and allowed it to cool. I mashed this with a fork and filled my three Toppls with about 1/8th cup of plain mashed sweet potato. I also sealed the hole on the side of the Toppl with the mashed sweet potato.
- Step Three: I sliced small strawberries and cucumber sticks and added a single frozen papaya dog treat on top of each Toppl to finish it off.
- Step Four: I freeze our Toppls for at least three hours. I remove them from the freezer and allow the dogs to enjoy them outside, from their Fluff Trough, or our tile floor for easy clean up.
There are so mant great foods you can use to create nutritious enrichment activties for your dogs! Don’t underestimate foods you already have on hand, including fresh fruits or veggies.
**This blog may contain affiliate links that allow me to make a small commission if you make a purchase by clicking the links – including Amazon. This is at no additional cost to you and any money I may receive is put right back into this blog. Thank you all so much for your support! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Treat Recipes from Peace, Love, and Frenchie Farts
